Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 3213482

Wolf's Milk

Lycogala epidendrum

Also known as Groening's Slime, Wolf's Milk Slime Mold

Wolf's milk forms small, bubble-like cushions on damp decaying wood that change from bright pink or salmon to dull grayish-brown as they mature. When pricked early in development, these fruiting bodies squeeze out a thick, bright pink paste resembling pink toothpaste. Though frequently mistaken for a tiny puffball fungus, wolf's milk spends most of its life cycle as microscopic single-celled amoebae roaming rotting logs to engulf bacteria and spores.

Slime MoldCosmopolitanWoodland
Wolf's Milk reference1 / 7
Licensed referenceBenny Mazur from Toledo, OH / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Bacteria
  • Fungal spores
  • Protozoa
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Minute brown scavenger beetles
  • Springtails
ThreatsDeforestation, removal of coarse woody debris
HabitatsDecaying logs, damp temperate forests
Life spanFruiting bodies last several weeks
Classification
  1. OrderCribrariales
  2. FamilyTubiferaceae
  3. GenusLycogala
  4. SpeciesLycogala epidendrum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Finding: Search the underside and shaded sides of damp, barkless logs between June and November.
  • Testing Maturity: Gently touch a cushion to see if it is still soft and liquid-filled or dry and powdery.
Related species
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